EX-MINISTER'S CLAIMS:FORMER DEFENCE minister Willie O'Dea has indicated Taoiseach Brian Cowen had asked him to assist in the Department of Finance in the aftermath of Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan's cancer diagnosis.

Writing in the Limerick Post, reporter Marie Hobbins said she asked Mr O’Dea if it was true “that the Taoiseach had assigned him to assist in that department, in view of the health issues facing the Minister for Finance”. Ms Hobbins wrote: “O’Dea replied in the affirmative and that he had been eager to do so.”

Asked yesterday if the report of the interview was accurate, Mr O’Dea said it was. The Department of Finance said “there was no formal relationship”.

In the course of the interview, Mr O’Dea said his resignation last week had been difficult for his family, especially his 85-year-old mother.

Asked if recent events had damaged his friendship with Mr Cowen, Mr O’Dea said: “I’m still friendly with Brian – he had no other course, but I know he was not happy about me having to resign.”

Mr O’Dea said he had been offered two directorships since resigning.

“I don’t feel bitter about what’s happened but I do feel bitterly disappointed.” He said he had faced “savage” criticism from elements of the media that “don’t like me”.